Splatoon 3 will finally introduce a much-needed change to help streamline its gameplay over that past games. The latest Nintendo Direct focused exclusively on the upcoming shooter, exploring the new hub, stages, and game modes. A highlight of the show was the reveal of Splatoon 3's new pop star hosts, Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, collectively known as Deep Cut. In addition to performing in Splatfests, Shiver and Frye also host the in-game news.
The news broadcasts, called Splatcasts, are a recurring feature in Splatoon and are hosted by each game's starring pop group. Splatcasts update players on which stages are currently available to play, and include important events like upcoming Splatfests. In the original Splatoon, the Inkopolis News was hosted by the Squid Sisters, Callie and Marie. Off the Hook's Pearl and Marina take the stage in Splatoon 2 in the Squid Sisters' absence. With Splatoon 3's change to a post-apocalyptic, desert locale - the Splatlands - Shiver, Frye, and Big Man's show also gets a new name, now titled the Anarchy Splatcast.
As exciting as Splatoon 3's new hosts are, the Splatcasts themselves are also getting a needed update. In both prior games, players were forced to watch the Inkopolis News whenever they logged on. The Splatcast was completely un-skippable, and given that it provides updates on all the current game modes, this could take several minutes to sit through. Beyond the initial broadcast, Splatcasts would follow every time certain game modes and maps changed, which happened at regular intervals. Playing over a prolonged period, players could be stopped several times between matches to see the latest updates. However, in Splatoon 3, Splatoon North America has clarified on Twitter that players will be able to watch Splatcasts from their characters' phones. This way, players can continue to explore Splatsville, Splatoon 3's brand new location, tuning into the news only when they wish.
Splatoon 3's Anarchy Splatcast Won't Interrupt Gameplay
As charming as all the hosts are, un-skippable newscasts were a detriment to the series' gameplay. In Splatoon 2, Pearl and Marina would crack jokes with each of the stage announcements. Some players may have found this enjoyable, but by adding length to an unavoidable interaction, what could have been charming banter likely tested many's patience. Rather than removing the news altogether, allowing players to tune in or out makes it both more enjoyable and functional. New hosts Shiver, Frye, and Big Man still have a chance to crack up and provide fun commentary, but players can tune out if they feel it starts to drag, especially if there aren't important announcements like Splatoon 3's free Splatfest demo. It also avoids pulling players out of gameplay when stages update between matches, giving them a chance to shop for new gear or weapons while seeing updates passively. Finally, for players who couldn't care less about the news and just want to jump in, this creates a much more streamlined experience.
Splatoon 3 is bringing a lot of exciting new things to the table, from new stages and weapons to a brand-new collectible card game. While the Splatcast update is a welcome change, there's still a range of existing issues that the new game could address, including Splatoon 2's poor matchmaking and chat features, features Splatoon 3 can easily improve. Players will likely have to wait to see if any other gameplay fixes make it into the final product when Splatoon 3 launches on September 9.
Source: Splatoon North America/Twitter